Sergio Perez has declared he feels 'ready' for his debut behind the wheel of a McLaren at the Jerez test next week.

The Mexican youngster has been put through an intensive period of pre-season preparation by his new team since officially being unveiled as a McLaren driver on January 9.

Having already revealed on his first day at Woking that he feels fitter than he ever has done in his two-year F1 career, Perez, who turned 23 on Saturday, now says his early acclimatisation steps have gone well.

Asked in an interview with the official F1 website if he was both ready, and fitter, for the first test the Mexican replied: "Ha, look at me, isn't that visible?

"And regarding the 'ready' factor, I have been in the simulator and working my way through every department to get to know all the steps and procedures.

"Martin [Whitmarsh] was right when he predicted I would not see much of Mexico in the winter!"

Although Perez faces the somewhat daunting task of filling the shoes of former World Champion Lewis Hamilton in 2013, the Mexican says the now Mercedes driver is the perfect example of how the Woking team brings on young drivers.

"I have good news for everybody: McLaren is a team that knows how to handle young drivers," he added.

"Just think about my predecessor in the cockpit - Lewis Hamilton. He joined the team with no F1 experience at all and the team helped him blossom into a winner and a champion. All I want is to get the same treatment."